Payroll Consultant - California Compliance

Payroll Consultant – California Compliance

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Payroll Consultant – California Compliance to support complex payroll operations with a strong focus on California wage and hour compliance. This contract role will play a critical part in owning semi-monthly payroll calculations, commission processing, and supplemental earnings, while operating within a largely manual environment that requires strong analytical rigor and precision.

This individual will serve as a subject matter expert in California regulatory pay requirements, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and operational integrity across payroll and timekeeping processes. In addition to execution, this role will help establish policies, procedures, and SOX-aligned controls to strengthen long-term scalability and compliance.

Essential Job Duties/Responsibilities:

Payroll Processing & Calculations

• Own and execute California regular rate of pay calculations, including overtime, premiums, and blended rates
• Process semi-monthly payroll, including manual calculations for commissions and complex earnings
• Manage and calculate supplemental earnings, including bonuses, incentives, and gift cards
• Perform termination pay and retroactive pay calculations in compliance with California regulations
• Support and execute off-cycle payroll runs as needed

Timekeeping & Data Integrity

• Oversee accurate timekeeping data management, including review and correction of timecard discrepancies
• Partner with operations and HR to ensure accurate tracking of hours worked, overtime, and leave
• Validate time and attendance data from systems such as UKG (or similar) prior to payroll processing

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with California wage & hour laws, including meal/rest break premiums and regular rate calculations
• Develop and implement payroll policies, procedures, and documentation to mitigate risk
• Support the build-out of SOX-compliant controls and audit-ready processes within payroll operations
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations

Analysis & Reporting

• Conduct payroll and compensation analysis, including rate of pay validation and earnings audits
• Investigate discrepancies and resolve complex payroll issues with a root-cause approach
• Build and maintain Excel-based models and reports to support payroll accuracy and insights
• Partner with Finance on general ledger reconciliation and audit support

Cross-Functional Support

• Collaborate closely with HR, Finance, and Operations to ensure alignment across payroll inputs and outputs
• Serve as a subject matter expert for payroll-related inquiries and escalations
• Support system optimization and process improvements across ADP and timekeeping platforms

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5–7+ years of payroll experience, with deep expertise in California wage & hour laws
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) required
• Proven experience managing payroll with complex commission structures
• Strong experience with manual payroll calculations and operating in non-automated environments
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, formulas, data analysis)
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now and UKG (or similar timekeeping systems)
• Strong understanding of SOX compliance and internal controls
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and confidentiality
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and build processes in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting high-growth, multi-location organizations
• Background in audit support and payroll process design
• Experience improving or automating manual payroll workflow

Disclaimer:

This job description is not all inclusive. In addition, LaserAway reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. LaserAway is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

The Employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.